No abstract available.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between obesity and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), both anatomically and symptomatically, in Korean women. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 476 women who visited the urogynecology clinic between January 2013 and December 2016. All the enrolled women were Korean. We sought to evaluate the relationship between obesity and POP, both anatomically and symptomatically, by using a validated tool. Anatomic assessment was performed by a standardized Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system and symptomatic assessment was performed by a Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI)-20 questionnaire. Obesity measurement was performed by measuring body mass index (BMI). Results: We enrolled 476 women in our study. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI and POP-Q or PFDI-20 scores: Ba (P=0.633), Bp (P=0.363), C (P=0.277), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (P=0.286), Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory-8 (P=0.960), Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (P=0.355), and PFDI-20 (P=0.355). In addition, there was no statistically significant correlation between BMI and POP-Q or PFDI-20 in patients with severe (greater than stage III) POP. We also separately analyzed the differences in the POP-Q points and PFDI-20 scores between the obese and non-obese groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion We evaluated the correlation between obesity and POP using a validated tool. The present study revealed no significant correlation between obesity and POP severity anatomically or symptomatically in Korean women. This contrasts the results of most studies of Western women. Further studies in Asian women are required in order to confirm our results.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between obesity and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), both anatomically and symptomatically, in Korean women. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 476 women who visited the urogynecology clinic between January 2013 and December 2016. All the enrolled women were Korean. We sought to evaluate the relationship between obesity and POP, both anatomically and symptomatically, by using a validated tool. Anatomic assessment was performed by a standardized Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system and symptomatic assessment was performed by a Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI)-20 questionnaire. Obesity measurement was performed by measuring body mass index (BMI). Results: We enrolled 476 women in our study. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI and POP-Q or PFDI-20 scores: Ba (P=0.633), Bp (P=0.363), C (P=0.277), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (P=0.286), Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory-8 (P=0.960), Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (P=0.355), and PFDI-20 (P=0.355). In addition, there was no statistically significant correlation between BMI and POP-Q or PFDI-20 in patients with severe (greater than stage III) POP. We also separately analyzed the differences in the POP-Q points and PFDI-20 scores between the obese and non-obese groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion We evaluated the correlation between obesity and POP using a validated tool. The present study revealed no significant correlation between obesity and POP severity anatomically or symptomatically in Korean women. This contrasts the results of most studies of Western women. Further studies in Asian women are required in order to confirm our results.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to analyze the relationship between the risk factors of MS and medical cost of major diseases related to MS in Korean workers, according to the scale of the enterprise. METHODS: Data was obtained from annual physical examinations, health insurance qualification and premiums, and health insurance benefits of 4,094,217 male and female workers who underwent medical examinations provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2009. Logistic regression analyses were used to the identify risk factors of MS and multiple regression was used to find factors associated with medical expenditures due to major diseases related to MS. RESULT: The study found that low-income workers were more likely to work in small-scale enterprises. The prevalence rate of MS in males and females, respectively, was 17.2% and 9.4% in small-scale enterprises, 15.9% and 8.9% in medium-scale enterprises, and 15.9% and 5.5% in large-scale enterprises. The risks of MS increased with age, lower income status, and smoking in small-scale enterprise workers. The medical costs increased in workers with old age and past smoking history. There was also a gender difference in the pattern of medical expenditures related to MS. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion programs to manage metabolic syndrome should be developed to focus on workers who smoke, drink, and do little exercise in small scale enterprises.
Female ; Health Expenditures ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; National Health Programs ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Taenia solium is a cestode parasite that infects various human organ systems and it causes several manifestations after ingestion of raw or undercooked pork that's infected with cysticerci. This infection is being now increasingly diagnosed in the more developed countries owing to immigration of tapeworm carriers from endemic zones, but intestinal perforation by parasite infection is a rare complication worldwide. Taenia solium has a complex two-host life cycle. Human beings are the only definitive host and they harbor the adult tapeworm, whereas both people and pigs can act as intermediate hosts and harbor the larvae or cysticerci. Although the majority of parasite-infected individuals are characterized by mild symptoms or none at all and this disease does no reveal overt morbidity, in certain circumstances this disease can lead to severe manifestations. Herein, we reported on two unusual cases of small bowel perforation caused by Taenia solium infection, and these patients were diagnosed at surgery. Efforts through antiparasitic treatment of endemic populations, development of pig vaccines and other measures that are underway will help control and eliminate this disease.
Adult ; Cestoda ; Developed Countries ; Eating ; Emigration and Immigration ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; Larva ; Life Cycle Stages ; Parasites ; Swine ; Taenia solium* ; Taenia* ; Vaccines

PURPOSE: To evaluate of the effect of bilateral medial rectus recession in the patients who showed large angle (>50 prism diopters, PD) infantile esotropia as comparing small angle (50 PD, 14 patients) and small angle group ( Esotropia* ; Humans ; Reoperation

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the associations between intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic and socioeconomic factors. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study using a nation-wide, stratified, multistage, clustered sampling method included 15,421 subjects aged ≥20 years with no history of ocular surgery or glaucoma who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2008-2011. RESULTS: Univariate regression analyses showed statistically significant linear relationships between IOP and body mass index (BMI), smoking status, heavy drinking, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001, respectively), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.003), refractive error (p < 0.001), and office work (p = 0.029). In addition, analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed statistically significant differences in IOP and refraction according to occupation (p < 0.001, all). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that increased IOP was associated with age, BMI, heavy drinking, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and refraction. There were statistically significant differences in IOP and refraction according to occupation.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking ; Fasting ; Glaucoma ; Homeostasis ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Methods ; Occupations ; Refractive Errors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Bone marrow has long been a source of primary cells. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of age and sex on the cellular viability and expression of stem cell markers of mRNA and on the protein expression of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) derived from healthy donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stem cells were isolated from human bone marrow and plated in culture plates. The shape of the BMSCs was observed under inverted microscope. Quantitative cellular viability was evaluated using a Cell-Counting Kit-8 assay. The expression of stem cell surface markers was tested and a series of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression in each group. RESULT: The shapes of the cells at 20s, 30s, and 50s were similar to each other. No significant changes in cellular viability were noted among different age groups or sex groups. The BMSCs expressed CD44, CD73, and CD90 surface markers but did not express CD14 and CD34. There were no noticeable differences in CD surface markers among the different age groups. The expressions of CD surface markers were similar between men and women. No significant differences in the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) were noted at Day 3 between different age groups. qRT-PCR regarding the expression showed differences between the age groups. However, Western blot analysis showed a decrease in expression but did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study clearly showed no significant differences in shape, cell viability, expression of stem cell surface markers, or secretion of human VEGF among different age groups. However, western blot analysis showed a tendency of age-related decrease which did not reach statistical significance. Collectively, autologous or allogeneic BMSCs should be meticulously applied to obtain optimal results regarding age and sex.
Age Factors ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Shape ; Cell Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Donors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like toxicity following chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy (carHLH) is a rare and fulminant complication. Currently, there are neither well-established diagnostic criteria nor optimal treatment option for carHLH. Given the similarities of hyperinflammatory process and cytokine profiles between cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and carHLH, tocilizumab and corticosteroids are the suggested front-line treatment options for both conditions. However, when carHLH is refractory to front-line treatment, alternative or adjunctive agents should be introduced to ameliorate ongoing hyperinflammation. Anakinra, a recombinant interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, has shown promising results in the management of carHLH. Although prospective trials are limited, the use of anakinra for severe CRS and carHLH has been increasing. In this case report, we present two cases of carHLH to discuss its characteristic clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and treatment option. In addition, we also highlight the clinical efficacy of anakinra for managing carHLH which was refractory to tocilizumab and dexamethasone.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the association between fibrotic focus (FF) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and to determine the prognostic significance of FF and TILs in the breast according to its molecular subtypes. Methods: The study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for breast cancer, for whom tissue samples were available. FF within the tumor and TILs in breast cancer tissues were evaluated. Clinicopathological characteristics were reviewed from medical records. Results: FF and TILs were present in 31.3% and 81.7% of the patients, respectively. FF and TILs showed a positive correlation. FF were significantly associated with tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. TILs were significantly associated with menopausal status, histologic grade, tubule formation, nuclear grade, mitosis, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, molecular subtype of breast cancer, and the number of cluster of differentiation 8+ T cells. In TIL-positive cases, FF were significantly associated with tumor size, regional lymph node metastasis, extranodal extension, lymphovascular invasion, tumor stage, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Based on HER2 overexpression status, TILs were significantly associated with tumor size, tumor necrosis, histologic grade, estrogen receptor status, and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in HER2-negative breast cancer. Further, in HER2-negative breast cancer, OS and recurrence-free survival were significantly associated with FF. The OS of FF-positive patients was significantly shorter than that of FF-negative patients. Conclusion Our study showed an association between FF and TIL levels in breast cancer, indicating that FF are associated with poor prognostic factors for breast cancer and poor OS, and that TILs are associated with HER2 overexpression. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the interactions between FF and TILs in breast cancer.